Wyiner tightened his grip on Evan's arm, his eyes darting toward the knights who had stopped to watch. "Come with me," he ordered, his voice low and simmering with anger. Without waiting for a response, Wyiner stormed off toward the fort, dragging Evan along.
As they entered the dimly lit hallway, the tension between them grew palpable. Evan, struggling to match his uncle's brisk pace, finally spoke up. "What is it, Uncle?" he asked, trying to sound casual, though there was a hint of unease in his voice.
Wyiner abruptly stopped in his tracks, his back still turned to Evan. "Did you go into my room?" he asked, his tone dangerously calm.
Evan's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly composed himself. "Your bedroom? Why would I go there?" he replied, his voice feigning innocence.
Wyiner spun around to face him, his eyes narrowing. "You know exactly what I'm talking about, Evan. Don't play games with me."
Evan met his gaze, his expression unflinching. "Uncle, I've been here in the fort all day. I don't know what you're accusing me of, but I'm always around if you need me," he said, his voice steady but with a subtle edge.
Wyiner's eyes bore into him, searching for any sign of deceit. "I know you went into my room and touched my things," Wyiner said, his voice rising with frustration.
Evan held his ground. "I think you're misunderstanding something, Uncle. I didn't go to your room. However, I did visit your office once today to ask you a question. That's all."
For a moment, Wyiner stared at Evan, his anger momentarily checked by the lack of concrete evidence. He knew something wasn't right, but without proof, he couldn't push further.
'I know you went to my room and looked for the letter. I'm not sure what to do if you've already informed my brother. I only wanted to keep it secret, but you've completely wrecked everything. I need to write Alex a letter. I'm not sure if Maxilin has already arrived,' Wyiner thought, his mind racing with the implications of Evan's actions.
Finally, Wyiner frowned and let out a sharp breath. "All right. But remember this, Evan—before you do anything, think of the consequences. Don't make hasty decisions," he warned, his voice heavy with unspoken threats.
Without waiting for a response, Wyiner turned on his heel and strode away.
**
Maxilin took a seat in the hallway of the large, yet eerily empty, house. The space was grand, with high ceilings and polished floors, but it felt hollow. Only Alex, his daughter, and two servants lived there. The house seemed far too big for just the four of them.
"I understand it might be difficult for you to stay with us," Alex said, breaking the silence. "It's just my daughter, the servants, and myself. The house can feel quite empty."
Maxilin offered a faint smile, but didn't respond. His mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with thoughts far removed from family pleasantries. Suddenly, the little girl, approached and took a seat nearby. Though she appeared to be around six or seven years old, there was a maturity in her eyes that caught Maxilin off guard. She smiled at him, her eyes bright with curiosity.
Maxilin quickly shifted his gaze away from her, unsure how to react. He wasn't used to being around children, especially one who seemed to be studying him so intently.
Alex noticed the interaction and tried to fill the silence. "I'll send a note to your uncle to let him know you've arrived safely," he said.
"All right, Mr. Alex," Maxilin replied, nodding slightly.
"You must be tired from your journey," Alex continued. "Please, take a rest. I'll start preparing something for dinner."
Before Maxilin could respond, Elizabeth jumped up from her chair with excitement. "Father, may I help by showing him to his room?" she asked eagerly.
Alex smiled warmly at his daughter, patting her head affectionately. "Of course, honey. You can help him settle in."
Turning back to Maxilin, Alex introduced her formally. "This is my daughter, Elizabeth."
Maxilin managed a more genuine smile this time. "Hi, Elizabeth. I'm Maxilin," he said, trying to match her enthusiasm.
Elizabeth's small hand felt warm in Maxilin's as she led him up the stairs, her enthusiasm a stark contrast to her earlier hesitation. The shift in her demeanor puzzled Maxilin; she had seemed wary of him just moments ago, yet now she was eagerly guiding him to his room. Her unexpected friendliness left him feeling slightly off-balance.
"Come on, Maxilin," she urged again, her voice bubbling with excitement as they reached the second floor. She seemed genuinely happy to have him there, and Maxilin couldn't help but feel a twinge of warmth despite his usual guarded nature.
Elizabeth pushed open the door to a large, neatly arranged room. It was clear they had prepared for his arrival; everything was in order, almost too perfectly so. Maxilin removed his hoodie, scanning the room as he did. It was simple, yet comfortable—exactly what he needed after the long journey. He began to unpack, setting his swords carefully on the table, each one placed with deliberate precision.
Elizabeth, who had settled into a plush chair, watched him with wide eyes. Her gaze was fixed on the swords, her curiosity evident. "Maxilin, are these all your swords?" she asked, her voice filled with awe.
"Yes," Maxilin replied, meeting her gaze. Her innocent wonder made him smirk slightly as he continued organizing his gear.
Elizabeth hopped out of her chair and approached the table, her small fingers reaching out to touch one of the blades. "Wow, you have so many weapons! Are you here to help us?" she asked, her excitement barely contained.
"Maybe, or maybe not," Maxilin responded with a teasing smile.
Her brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean by that?" she pressed.
Maxilin's smile faded slightly as he considered her question. This little girl was sharper than she appeared; she sensed something was amiss. "Because when I arrived, I didn't notice anything dangerous," he said, his tone turning serious.
Elizabeth's puzzled expression deepened. "You didn't see it?" she asked quietly.
"No," Maxilin replied, shaking his head. "What about you? Have you seen anything strange?"
Elizabeth hesitated, her eyes flicking toward the floor before she nodded silently.
Maxilin's curiosity piqued. He squinted at her, trying to gauge her emotions. "What did you see?" he asked, his voice gentle but insistent.
Elizabeth didn't answer right away. Instead, she glanced around the room, as if checking to make sure they were alone. Maxilin, noticing the closed windows, moved to open one, letting in the cool evening air. The room had been stifling, the closed windows creating an atmosphere that felt almost suffocating.